OICA elects SIAM’s Shailesh Chandra as first Indian president, Hildegaard Müller as vice president

The Organisation Internationale des Constructeurs d’Automobiles (OICA) said on Monday that it has elected Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) president Shailesh Chandra as its president, effective November 1, succeeding John Bozzella, president and CEO of the Alliance for Automotive Innovation USA.

“It is an honour to become the first OICA President from India, which highlights the organisation’s global representation. As the global automotive industry transitions towards sustainable mobility and pursuits ‘Net Zero’, in alignment with the visions of Governments worldwide, the role of OICA becomes increasingly critical — to acknowledge the diversity of every region, as we collectively strive to make our vehicles more aspirational, safer, and environmentally friendly,” Shailesh Chandra, president, SIAM, and MD and CEO of Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles , in a statement.

OICA has also elected Hildegard Müller, President of the Verband der Automobilindustrie (VDA), as its Vice President. The VDA is a German interest group of the German automobile industry, consisting of both automobile manufacturers and automobile component manufacturers, including the likes of BMW, Volkswagen, and Mercedes-Benz. A graduate of the Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, Department of Business, Müller is a former Minister of State to the German Chancellor and ex-chairwoman of the German Association of Energy and Water Industries (BDEW). Müller has led the VDA since 2020, steering the German automotive industry through the challenges of electrification, global competition, and trade transitions.

The OICA, founded in 1919, is the worldwide federation representing the national associations of motor vehicle manufacturers. OICA’s 36 member associations from all continents represent the global automotive industry on issues of mobility, environment, safety, and the economy. It plays a key role in promoting harmonised technical regulations through its active participation in the United Nations World Forum for Harmonisation of Vehicle Regulations (UNECE WP.29). OICA also coordinates global automotive production and sales statistics, ensuring reliable data.

Additionally, OICA supports the organisation of international motor shows, recognising their contribution to innovation and public engagement. Through its work, OICA fosters global cooperation among manufacturers and governments to advance safe, sustainable, and efficient mobility while defending the legitimate interests of the automotive industry worldwide.